YouSaid · the spoken record

Majid Takht Ravanchi

lines on the record: 278
first: 2020-04-23
most recent: 2021-10-19
sittings or episodes: 39
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“All such policies and practices are in contravention of the basic principles and norms of international law and a gross violation of the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Despite the fact that, as the world’s longest crisis, the Palestinian question has been at the top on the agendas of the General Assembly and the Security Council since the creation of the United Nations, during the past 75 years, the Security Council has been unable to end the decades-long occupation of Palestine, protect the very basic rights of millions of oppressed Palestinians at home and abroad or confront an occupying regime that has shamelessly committed all four core international crimes, not once but several times.”
2021-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/91 (2021) · source
“In 2020, the plight and suffering of the Palestinians have become manifold and were further exacerbated as a result of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. The Israeli regime also continued its military adventurism and destabilizing practices in the region, including by invading some regional countries, particularly Syria. It also continued its sabre-rattling and openly and repeatedly threatened regional States. In addition, the occupying Power started the year 2021 with a new round of brutalities against Palestinians, including hampering the access of Palestinians to COVID-19 vaccines, as well as its subversive and disruptive activities in the region.”
2021-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/91 (2021) · source
“The Palestinians ended the year 2020 while the occupation of their lands and the brutalities of the occupying Power persisted. The killing of more than 70 Palestinians, including nearly 20 children and women, wounding more than 6,740 others, including a large number of women and children, and demolishing or seizing over 590 Palestinian structures, as well as displacing nearly 690 people, were only the tip of the submerged iceberg of the oppressions of the Israeli forces against the Palestinians in the year 2020. The occupying Power also continued its illegal settlement activities and declared its illegal policy to annex further parts of Palestine, as well as maintaining the inhumane blockade of the Gaza Strip.”
2021-01-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/91 (2021) · source
“We totally reject the imposition of illegal and illegitimate unilateral sanctions and call for their immediate removal, as they prevent the return of refugees and internally displaced persons and obstruct the reconstruction process of this war-torn country. Along the same lines, we strongly condemn Israel’s continued aggressions against Syria. Such provocative military adventurism must stop now. Iran will continue to support the people and the Government of Syria to overcome the threats of terrorism and foreign occupation, rebuild their country and ensure its unity and territorial integrity.”
2021-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/75 (2021) · source
“In that context, through the occupation of parts of Syria, the United States continues to violate the territorial integrity of Syria. In fact, the United States is pursuing its illegitimate geopolitical interests, including by shielding and supporting certain terrorist groups. All such acts are in material breach of international law and must come to an end immediately. The imposition of unilateral sanctions on the Syrian people is yet another unlawful act by the United States and some other countries. While the Syrians are seriously suffering from terrorists acts and the coronavirus disease pandemic, such inhumane sanctions are simply adding insult to injury, targeting the most vulnerable people the most.”
2021-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/75 (2021) · source
“Concurrent with the work of the Constitutional Committee, serious efforts must be made in other areas. The first and most important one is to continue fighting all terrorist groups, as their presence and criminal activities not only threaten the security and territorial integrity of Syria but also represent a threat to peace and security in the region. While the protection of civilians must be a guiding principle in combating terrorist groups, they must not be allowed to consolidate their presence and conduct their atrocious activities uninterrupted. Likewise, fighting terrorism must not be used as a pretext to support any separatist tendencies and illegitimate self-rule initiatives, or to violate Syrian sovereignty.”
2021-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/75 (2021) · source
“I wish to thank Mr. Pedersen and Mr. Lowcock for their briefings. We reiterate our firm position that the crisis in Syria must be settled peacefully. In that context, we underline the importance and contribution of the Astana format to launching a political process, including through the establishment of the Constitutional Committee, which will hold its next session next week. We wish its participants success. Iran supports the current United Nations activities in Syria. Our Special Envoy on Syria is working in close cooperation with Special Envoy Pedersen to support his efforts in facilitating the work of the Committee, which must continue its activities without any external interference or pressure or setting any artificial deadline for its conclusion.”
2021-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/75 (2021) · source
“It is high time for regional countries to engage in good faith and work towards the establishment of a better, safer and more prosperous region. Our Hormuz Peace Endeavor is a recipe for bringing regional countries closer to each other with the aim of resolving their differences and establishing friendlier relations among them. We hope that our honest and sincere call for opening a new page in regional cooperation will be heeded by our neighbours in the Persian Gulf soon. Finally, our observations on Secretary-General’s report (S/2020/1177) are contained in my letter already sent to the Council covering our views on issues that I did not address in my remarks today.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“The only source of instability and insecurity in our region is the presence of a large number of American forces in almost all Iran’s neighbouring countries, the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea, as well as the flow of unprecedented amounts of the S/2020/1324 most sophisticated weaponry by the United States and other Western countries to this region. The United States must leave our region immediately. The Persian Gulf region has been suffering from many years of foreign intervention and conflicts. This region is turned into a powder keg as a result of the unfettered flow of dangerous weapons from Western countries. In order to sell more weapons to this region, these countries sow discord and apply a divide and rule policy among countries in the region.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“We have on numerous occasions made our position on the defensive capabilities of our country quite clear. To develop a conventional missile programme is an inherent right of any country under international law, and Iran is no exception. Consequently, Iran will not negotiate its legitimate ballistic missile programme. Living in such a volatile region as the Middle East, we will not allow our security and conventional defensive capability be compromised, restricted or undermined. Bullying policies of certain Powers will not intimidate Iran to relinquish its legitimate defensive means.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“As has been clearly stated by our officials, as soon as all JCPOA participants start implementing their commitments unconditionally, effectively and in full, Iran will also resume implementing all its JCPOA commitments. This has always been our principled position throughout recent years, and now it has become a binding legal obligation for the Government following the recent adoption of a new law by our Parliament. The JCPOA cannot be linked to any other issues, as the agenda of the nuclear talks from the beginning was the nuclear issue. We decided not to allow other issues to complicate the already difficult negotiations. That was a very wise decision made by all JCPOA participants. Therefore, any attempt now to link the future of the JCPOA to extraneous issues will be doomed to fail.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“However, the illegal United States sanctions as well as the E-3’s non-compliance with their JCPOA commitments have not only deprived Iran from its benefits foreseen in the JCPOA, that is, to enjoy normal economic and trade relations with others, but have also inflicted severe damages and sufferings upon our economy and people. The so-called maximum pressure policy of the United States against Iran has faced with our maximum resistance and has not been able to bring us to our knees, as United States officials have been dreaming. It should have been clear by now that the policy of intimidation and pressure on Iran does not and will not yield any result. The only way out is to go back to the prompt, full and unconditional implementation of the JCPOA.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“As the arms- and travel-related provisions of resolution 2231 (2015), consistent with the established timelines in the resolution, were terminated on 18 October 2020, all other provisions of the resolution must be implemented and terminated according to the timelines identified therein. Iran has paid a heavy price and has done much more than its fair share to preserve the JCPOA. Therefore, no one can expect us to do more. In fact, those JCPOA participants who have for years violated their commitments under resolution 2231 (2015) and the JCPOA must bear more responsibility. Iran has been implementing its commitments under the JCPOA.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“United S/2020/1324 Nations Member States are expected not to allow United Nations mechanisms to be misused and, if needed, vote against United States proposals on the programme budget for the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015) for 2021. Once again, I sincerely thank members of the Council for their valuable support. Their votes and voices were not merely in support of the JCPOA as a historic achievement of diplomacy but were strong support for multilateralism and the rule of law and a loud and clear “no” to unilateralism and bullying. The continuation of such support is critical for ensuring the full and unconditional implementation of resolution 2231 (2015) and the JCPOA by all its participants.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“This time, none of the Council members supported the United States request and, more importantly, 13 members of the Council rejected it, orally and in writing, and consequently two consecutive Presidents of the Council stated that they were not in a position to take any action with regard to the United States claims. Hence, the United States move faced a total defeat in the Council. The United States is now desperately attempting to raise the same issue in the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly. This unlawful move aims to establish and fund a Security Council sanctions regime without a Council mandate.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“President, and Council members witnessed this summer how stubbornly the United States attempted to abuse the process of the Council and the provisions of resolution 2231 (2015) to extend the arms-related provisions of that resolution. However, even when the United States proposed draft resolution (S/2020/797), in addition to United States itself, received only one more affirmative vote, the United States did not stop its destructive policy and unsuccessfully attempted, through abusing the so-called snapback mechanism, to destroy the JCPOA and 2231 mechanism altogether.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“This terrorist act, conducted at the direct order of the United States President, is a gross violation of international law. There are also serious indications that the assassination of martyr Fakhrizadeh, a prominent Iranian scientist, on 27 November 2020, was conducted by the Israeli regime — the closest regional ally of the United States with a long dark record of such terrorist acts against Iranian nuclear scientists in the past. During the past four years, the United States and its regional allies have, through a series of orchestrated measures, employed all possible means, including illegitimate and unlawful measures, to destroy the JCPOA. As an example, you, Mr.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“Sanctions do not merely create economic hardships; in many cases, sanctions claim the innocent lives of people from all walks of life. By any measure, the United States sanctions are illegal, illegitimate, immoral, inhumane and oppressive, and have no designation other than economic terrorism and crime against humanity. Yet sanctions are only one part of the destructive bullying policies and practices of the United States against my country, which include its systematic Iranophobia campaign, warmongering, military adventurism in the Persian Gulf, interference in our domestic affairs and many other unlawful and provocative actions. The living example of this bankrupt policy is the horrific assassination of martyr Qasem Soleimani, almost one year ago.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“At a time when Iran is experiencing one of the worst outbreaks of the coronavirus disease, sanctions are drastically hindering our national response to the pandemic. The United States claim that humanitarian goods are exempt from sanctions is an absolute lie. As an example, even today, we cannot easily import medicine for relieving the breathing problems of those injured by chemical weapons that were provided by some Western countries to Saddam and used by him during his aggression against Iran. The United States also claims that sanctions are “not directed at the people of Iran”. This is also a sheer hypocrisy, as sanctions target the most vulnerable people the most, harm the poor more than the rich, the ill people more than the healthy ones and infants and children more than adults.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“Over the past four years, the United States has imposed over 1,500 sanctions against Iran, targeting nearly every sector of our economy and practically removing every benefit Iran could draw from the JCPOA. Such sanctions, which are expected to increase even up to the very last minute of the current United States Administration, is, in fact, an all-out war with economic measures instead of weapons. According to the United States officials, the objective of sanctions is the “starvation” of the Iranian people through weaponizing food and medicine, which is prohibited even in wartime.Sanctions prevent the import of humanitarian goods, including vital medicines and medical equipment needed for patients, particularly those with rare or complicated diseases.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“That maximum restraint was met with the so-called “maximum pressure” of the United States and its ever-increasing unlawful sanctions, as well as the utter failure of the E-3 and the European Union to implement their commitments. That left us with no choice but to take certain remedial steps, in full conformity with the paragraphs 26 and 36 of the JCPOA, pursuant to which, in the case of “a re-introduction or re-imposition of the sanctions”, Iran has the right “to cease performing its commitments under this JCPOA in whole or in part”. Therefore, Iran’s steps are in full accordance with our rights and commitments under the JCPOA and, more important, are completely reversible. The damages and suffering inflicted upon Iran, however, are almost entirely irreversible.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“Likewise, by brazenly threatening other States to either violate resolution 2231 (2015) or face punishment, the United States has not only failed to honour its own commitments under that resolution but has also substantively obstructed the implementation of commitments by other Member States. The United States has also defied the unanimous order of the International Court of Justice, issued on 3 October 2018, which includes an obligation to remove impediments to humanitarian trade with Iran. Nevertheless, instead of taking remedial measures, as authorized in the JCPOA, Iran, upon the request of the E-3 — France, Germany and the United Kingdom — exercised restraint and strategic patience for one year.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“After its withdrawal from the JCPOA, on 8 May 2018, the United States reimposed all its nuclear-related sanctions. By pursing a hostile policy towards the JCPOA and Iran since then, the United States has also engaged in persistent widespread public and private harassment of Iran’s business partners. By doing so, the United States has committed multiple cases of “significant non-performance” under the JCPOA. As such, it is in continuous systematic material breach of its legal obligations under resolution 2231 (2015), the Charter of the United Nations and international law.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“Almost four months after the failed move by the United States to destroy the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Security Council is again considering the implementation of resolution 2231 (2015) and the JCPOA. According to resolution 2231 (2015), the JCPOA was concluded as “a comprehensive, long-term and proper solution to the Iranian nuclear issue” in order “to build a new relationship with Iran” and to promote and facilitate “normal economic and trade contacts and cooperation with Iran”. The JCPOA is an agreement coming out of hard-won negotiations involving difficult gives and takes, and any proposal for its revision, renegotiation or extension would run counter to resolution 2231(2015) and is absolutely unacceptable to Iran.”
2020-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1324 (2020) · source
“The Presidents of both countries called the inauguration of that project a historical event, further strengthening bilateral and regional economic cooperation, thus enhancing the foundations of durable peace and stability in Afghanistan. The Islamic Republic of Iran is committed to contributing to a more secure and prosperous Afghanistan through further enhancing relations between two fraternal nations.”
2020-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1274 (2020) · source
“A durable peace in Afghanistan cannot be established without promoting its economic conditions, which requires strong regional and international support. For our part, in addition to hosting more than 3 million Afghans despite facing the savage United States economic war, we have promoted economic cooperation with Afghanistan. Linking that landlocked country to the high seas and other countries through Iran’s Chabahar port is a prominent example of close partnership between the two countries. Just last week, we inaugurated the Khaf-Herat railway, which connects Afghanistan’s railway to Europe through Iran.”
2020-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1274 (2020) · source
“Afghanistan’s security situation remains a source of concern owing particularly to the terrorist acts perpetrated, including by Da’esh, whose presence poses a serious threat to the security of Afghanistan and of the region. As a manifestation of external interference, the presence of foreign forces is another source of Afghanistan’s instability. However, as many countries have stressed, their withdrawal must be orderly and responsible and must not lead to a security vacuum in Afghanistan. Accordingly, prior and simultaneous to the withdrawal of foreign forces, Afghanistan’s military and security forces must be supported and strengthened. Likewise, effective assistance must be extended to Afghanistan in combating the illicit production of, and trafficking in, narcotic drugs as a source of financing terrorism and other crimes.”
2020-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1274 (2020) · source
“However, as peace and violence cannot go hand in hand, to reciprocate the goodwill of Afghanistan’s Government in the peace talks, the Taliban must halt its attacks against Afghan defence and security forces. We support the peace talks and believe that their successful conclusion requires flexibility and patience by all sides, placing the interests of the people of Afghanistan above all other interests. As we stated to Special Representative of the Secretary-General Lyons during her recent visit to Tehran, Iran continues to call for a further engagement of the United Nations in the peace process and stands ready, in coordination with the United Nations, to further contribute to that process.”
2020-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1274 (2020) · source
“Iran and Afghanistan enjoy common religious, cultural, linguistic and historical backgrounds, and our stability, sociocultural development and economic growth are intertwined and mutually reinforcing. As our President stated very recently, we consider Afghanistan’s stability as our own stability. Afghanistan’s decades-long insecurity and instability can end only through a comprehensive and inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process involving all Afghan factions, including the Taliban, supported by neighbouring, regional and international partners. The peace process must preserve and promote past achievements, particularly the present Constitution, the right of the people to self-determination through elections and the right of ethnic and religious minorities and women, as well as the commitment to combating terrorism.”
2020-12-17 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1274 (2020) · source
“That inhumane practice must come to an end. We will continue to support the people and the Government of Syria in their struggle to overcome the threats of terrorism and foreign occupation.S/2020/1257”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1257 (2020) · source
“Places like Idlib must not turn into a safe haven for terrorist groups; accordingly, while every effort should be made to protect the lives of civilians, efforts must be continued to combat terrorism until that threat is fully removed. Facilitating Syria’s reconstruction and the safe and voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their original places of residence in Syria need to be part of an overall solution to the current conflict in the country. The interests of millions of Syrian refugees must not be held hostage to the political ambitions of certain Powers. Delaying their return will only prolong their suffering. Along the same lines, unilateral sanctions, particularly those imposed by the United States, target the most vulnerable people the most, adding to their suffering.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1257 (2020) · source
“They also exchanged views on facilitating the successful convening of the Committee’s next session. The Committee must continue its work and operate without any external interference or pressure and without setting any artificial deadline for the conclusion of its work. The only objective of the political process must be to enable the Syrian people to determine the future of their country by themselves. Furthermore, the sovereignty, political independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria must be fully respected by all. Separatist agendas and illegitimate self-rule initiatives must be rejected, and all foreign forces whose presence is not permitted by the Syrian Government, particularly the forces of the United States of America, which are following a hidden agenda, must leave the country.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1257 (2020) · source
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is fully committed to contributing to a political solution to the Syrian crisis. This is a message that the Iranian President and other high-ranking officials of our country conveyed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Syria during the latter’s recent visit to Tehran, during which a broad range of issues, including ways and means of preserving Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity and reducing the suffering of the Syrian people, were discussed extensively. Similarly, the latest developments in the political process were discussed in recent consultations between Iran’s Special Envoy on Syria and Special Representative of the Secretary-General Pedersen, who briefed the Iranian side on the outcome of the fourth session of the Constitutional Committee.”
2020-12-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1257 (2020) · source
“A recent draft decision proposed by a group of countries in order to deprive a State from continuing to be a party to the Convention despite its having destroyed all of its chemical weapons, as verified by the OPCW, and despite its continuing cooperation with the Organization, will set a dangerous precedent and have far- reaching, serious consequences for the chemical-weapon disarmament regime. The continuation of such policies is not acceptable and must no longer be permitted. Every effort must therefore be made to restore the OPCW’s authority and promote the full and non-discriminatory implementation of the CWC.”
2020-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1202 (2020) · source
“More important, those politically motivated approaches continue to endanger the consensus decision-making tradition of the OPCW, the latest example of which was the decision at the recently held twenty-fifth session of the Conference of the States Parties to the CWC regarding the OPCW’s programme and budget for 2021, which was adopted by a vote. That unconstructive approach will continue to adversely affect the efforts to achieve the full and effective realization of the very purpose of the CWC, namely the elimination of chemical weapons, which has yet to be realized, owing to blatant failure on the part of the United States, as the sole major possessor State party to the Convention.”
2020-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1202 (2020) · source
“They also overlook Syria’s commitment, which it reiterated very recently, to continuing to work with the Technical Secretariat in order to resolve all outstanding issues as soon as possible. Even the relevant decision of the OPCW Executive Council at its ninety-fourth session disregarded Syria’s unprecedented cooperation with the OPCW, which it carried out despite the serious security threats posed by the deadliest of terrorist groups as well as the restrictions resulting from the coronavirus disease pandemic. Unfortunately, the unproductive policies of some Western countries, pursued relentlessly during the course of the past several years, have resulted only in division within the Security Council and the OPCW, eroding their legitimacy and credibility.”
2020-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1202 (2020) · source
“Nevertheless, it is a source of grave concern that in the past several years, a group of OPCW member States have politicized the consideration of Syria’s implementation of the Convention, systematically abusing the processes of the Security Council and the OPCW. They disregard the fact that in her final report to the Council, in 2014, the Special Coordinator of the OPCW-United Nations Joint Mission confirmed that Syria had fulfilled all of its commitments and that its entire chemical stockpile had been destroyed. That was also later confirmed by the OPCW. They are referring to a technically defective report of the Investigation and Identification Team, which was prepared without on-site investigation or due regard for the chain of custody, and they intentionally disregard the progress achieved by Syria in implementing its obligations.”
2020-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1202 (2020) · source
“We understand and feel more than any other country both the horrible nature of those inhumane weapons and the poisonous nature of politicizing the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the work of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). It is in that context that we condemn in the strongest possible terms the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anytime, anywhere and under any circumstances, and also call for the full, effective, balanced and non-discriminatory implementation of the Convention as well as for upholding the integrity, authority and legitimacy of the OPCW.”
2020-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1202 (2020) · source
“I would like to begin by congratulating you, Mr. President, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month. In contemporary history, Iran was the main victim of the large-scale, systematic and frequent use of chemical weapons during the eight-year war imposed on us by Saddam Hussein, when some Western States not only assisted Saddam in developing chemical weapons but also refrained from taking any action when he made extensive use of those weapons against our citizens and later against Iraqi citizens. Those bitter experiences taught us that no one should possess such inhumane weapons and that the legal regime to prohibit their development and use must not allow any sort of politicization.”
2020-12-11 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1202 (2020) · source
“As the Syrian people are facing the challenges of conflict and the coronavirus disease pandemic, failing to assist the return of refugees will only increase and prolong their suffering, which has already been intensified owing to the imposition of inhumane unilateral sanctions by the United States. The international community should not leave the Syrian people alone in their struggle to overcome the threats of terrorism and foreign occupation as well as that of economic terrorism resulting from those unlawful sanctions.”
2020-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1147 (2020) · source
“Parallel to the political process, international efforts must continue to facilitate Syria’s reconstruction and the safe and voluntary return of refugees and IDPs to their original places of residence in Syria. As an important effort in that regard, we welcome the international conference on the return of Syrian refugees held on 11 and 12 November in Damascus, which, unfortunately, was boycotted by some countries that politicize almost every issue related to ending the conflict, the return of refugees and Syria’s reconstruction. The interests of millions of Syrian refugees must not be held hostage for political gain by certain Powers.”
2020-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1147 (2020) · source
“Underlining the importance of a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned and United Nations-facilitated political process, we continue to support the efforts of the United Nations and Special Representative of the Secretary-General Pedersen for a political settlement of the Syrian crisis. Iran will spare no effort to that end. In that context, useful consultations, including on the work of the Constitutional Committee, took place during the recent visit of Mr. Pedersen to Tehran, where he met with our Minister for Foreign Affairs and other high-ranking officials. We support the Constitutional Committee, which must operate without any external interference or pressure or the setting of any artificial deadline for the conclusion of its work, and are hopeful that the true interests of the Syrian people will prevail over all other interests.”
2020-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1147 (2020) · source
“Terrorists must not be allowed to continue taking a large number of civilians as hostages or to turn places such as Idlib into a safe haven for themselves. We strongly condemn Israel’s continued acts of aggression against Syria’s sovereignty. The occupation of the Syrian Golan by Israel is unlawful, and the recognition of its annexation to Israel by the United States is null and void. The recent provocative visit to the Syrian Golan by the United States Secretary of State was designed to legitimize the annexation. The Golan is and will remain part and parcel of Syrian territory.”
2020-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1147 (2020) · source
“This means that the sovereignty, political independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria must be fully respected by all. Any separatist agendas as well as illegitimate self-rule initiatives must be rejected, and all foreign forces whose presence is not permitted by the Syrian Government must leave Syria. In that context, the full, immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the United States forces from Syria is essential. Instead of combating terrorism, they continue to support United Nations-designated terrorist groups such as the Al-Nusra Front — Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham — as well as to loot the oil and wealth of the Syrian people. The combat against terrorists in Syria must be continued until the total elimination of the threat that they pose. Obviously, this must be done with the utmost care for the lives of civilians.”
2020-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1147 (2020) · source
“After almost 10 years of conflict, the Syrian people continue to suffer from aggression, foreign occupation and terrorism. Through unlawful occupation, inhumane sanctions and the politicization of the return of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), and by preventing international support for Syria’s reconstruction, certain countries are responsible for the prolongation of the conflict as they attempt to impose their own will on the Syrian people. Such attempts are unlawful and immoral and doomed to fail. The Syrian crisis can be settled only through political means, and the right to determine the future of Syria belongs exclusively to the Syrians. The international community should assist them in realizing that right.”
2020-11-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1147 (2020) · source
“Despite such cooperation by Syria, some Western countries are pursuing an unproductive policy here in the Council and in the OPCW, resulting only in division in both and the erosion of their legitimacy and credibility. Furthermore, it has weakened professionalism and consensual decision-making process in the OPCW, adversely affecting the efforts for the full and effective realization of the very purpose of the CWC, namely, the elimination of chemical weapons, which is yet to be realized due to the blatant failure by the United States, as the sole major State party that possesses them, to destroy its chemical weapons. The credibility of the OPCW is at stake. Every effort must be made to restore its authority and promote the full and non-discriminatory implementation of the CWC.”
2020-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1088 (2020) · source
“The fact is that, in her final report to the Council in 2014, the head of the Joint Mission to eliminate chemical weapons in Syria confirmed that Syria had fulfilled all its commitments and that its entire chemical stockpiles had been destroyed. This was confirmed later by the OPCW itself. Up to now, Syria has provided the OPCW with 83 monthly reports and large amounts of information, and in a letter dated 4 November 2020 to the OPCW Director General, declared its commitment to continue to work with the Technical Secretariat to resolve outstanding issues as soon as possible — the latest example being the recent holding of the twenty-third round of consultations between the Syria and the Declaration Evaluation Team to resolve the pending issues in Syria’s initial declaration.”
2020-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1088 (2020) · source
“These objectives, however, can be realized only if all available tools are applied genuinely, professionally and, above all, without politicization or discrimination of any kind. Nevertheless, unfortunately, what we continue to observer here in the Council and in the OPCW in the past several years is that a group of Member States has chosen to systematically abuse the relevant process in order to advance their own politically motivated objectives at any price whatsoever. Citing a series of unsubstantiated allegations, they are abusing these bodies against the Syrian Government and ignoring the progress achieved so far by that country in the implementation of its obligations.”
2020-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1088 (2020) · source
“I would like to begin by congratulating you, Madam President, on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for this month. Iran attaches great importance to the full, balanced and non-discriminatory implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and underlines the need for upholding the authority, credibility and legitimacy of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and its Technical Secretariat. As a major victim of chemical weapons in contemporary history, Iran condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere and under any circumstances. Every effort should be made to prevent any use of these horrific weapons.”
2020-11-05 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1088 (2020) · source
“While the new drivers of conflicts require proper attention by the Council, that must not be at the price of neglecting or underestimating traditional drivers of conflicts, such as acts of aggression, foreign occupation, external interference and the like, which continue to play an important role in the emergence, escalation and prolongation of conflicts in many parts of the world. Lastly, the Security Council’s efforts in resolving conflicts can be effective only when, in addition to adopting realistic approaches in addressing them, they ensure the non-discriminatory application of laws to all parties to conflicts.S/2020/1090”
2020-11-03 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2020/1090 (2020) · source